The 2020 and 3rd Annual CPT Sara Knutson Cullen Memorial Scholarship Winner ($5,000) is Christina Rose Dussell of Snohomish, WA!

Rose has worked a variety of jobs with special needs individuals and is skilled in the martial arts of kickboxing and Krav Maga. She earned her fixed wing private pilot’s license in 2014 and has since been training to fly helicopters.  In her application essay, Rose writes, “Since starting Rotary Aircraft I am undeniably hooked on the challenge and the precision it takes to pilot them.”  Having reached her one hundred hour mark in rotary wing flight, she is now in the process of becoming a search and rescue volunteer. Congratulations, Rose!

The Wings For Val Foundation is pleased to offer this scholarship that honors the legacy of Captain Sara Knutson Cullen, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army who perished on the same day as Val in Afghanistan. Like Val, Sara had a strong faith and positively impacted those around her through her wit and kindness.  Sara’s family chose Rose as the winner of this of scholarship for rotary wing flight training and Sara’s parents, Lynn and Bill Knutson presented the award to Rose in person at the WAI Conference in Orlando, FL in March.